The Banshees of Inisherin had no shortage of endearing performances, but perhaps its most endearing performer was its shortest. I’m talking Jenny the Donkey, Banshees’ breakout star. She just wants a bit of company, Siobhan, but animals is fer outside, I’vetoldya.
With Banshees’ 1920s Irish isle setting, I was curious as to whom, if anyone, would have been looking out for the wee-est of the weans, like Jenny. That’s when I first learned of the All-Ireland Donkey Protection Society.
The branches of the AIDPS maintained numerous important responsibilities. Like conducting the annual donkey census.
Hosting “big donkey parties” where human guests receive a bag of corn and a chocolate bar.
And most importantly, ensuring the health and well-being of all of Ireland’s donkeys.
According to a 1913 article in the Calgary Herald, the AIDPS was founded by Mrs. K. M. Shewell of Galway, who told reporters, “There are about a quarter of a million donkeys in Ireland, and many of them, as we know, are not all well treated.”
Shewell encouraged owners to take pride in their donkeys’ appearance and discouraged working them at too young an age, beating them with sticks, overloading and underfeeding them, and turning them away when they are too old to work.
A 1954 article in the Alberta Red Deer Advocate states that the AIDPS was formed during a meat shortage, when reports arose of thousands of donkeys being shipped from Ireland to England, where they appeared on restaurant menus as “venison.”
The society’s mission was enough to inspire one Philadelphia woman to leave behind $1,000 to the AIDPS in 1955. This amounts to almost $11,000 today. My hopes are that this will inspire you to donate to your donkey charity of choice.
Do it for Jenny.
